ECI vows to 'vigorously oppose' Hagel nomination

1/7/13 12:53 PM EST

The Emergency Committee for Israel plans to "vigorously oppose" the president's nomination of Chuck Hagel for defense secretary and has created a web site cataloguing the reasons for its opposition.

"We have examined Mr. Hagel's public record, which is marked by an animus toward our friend Israel and a surprising solicitude for our enemies Iran, Hamas and Hezbollah," ECI said in a statement. "We believe Mr. Hagel's record--both his votes and his statements--place him well outside the American mainstream."

The site claims that Hagel has tried to protect Iran throughout his career, that he has sought to distance the United States from Israel and to reduce pressure on terrorist groups.

"We look forward to participating in a full and fair debate on Mr. Hagel's record," ECI said. "We trust, at the conclusion of that debate, the United States Senate will withhold its consent to Mr. Hagel's selection as Secretary of Defense."

Other pro-Israel groups have said they won't oppose Hagel, including the ADL and NJDC, although they stopped short of offering full-throated support.